State regulators today approved funding to improve the safety of traffic signals at three railroad crossings in Auburn.
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) approved $20,000 from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) for the City of Auburn to install battery backup power systems between the railroad and traffic signals at three crossings located in Auburn.
Each crossing is located within 150 feet of a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway railroad crossing. More than 30 freight and passenger trains use these crossings daily. At these crossings, the lights and gates are interconnected with the traffic signals to ensure vehicle traffic clear the crossing before a train enters. The upgraded power system will guarantee continuous service between the traffic signal and gates during a power outage.
The railroad crossings are located at:
• West Main Street and C Street Southwest
• 3rd Street and C Street Northwest
• 37th Street and B Street Northwest
The upgrades must be completed by Dec. 31. State funding from the GCPF will not exceed the $20,000. The approximate cost of the project is $39,600. Any additional costs for the project will be covered by the city of Auburn.
The Legislature created the GCPF in 1969 to provide money for safety measures designed to decrease the potential for accidents and fatalities at public and private crossings and along railroad tracks in the state. The UTC administers the fund.
The UTC is the state agency responsible for railroad safety, including approving new grade crossings and closing or altering existing rail crossings. The agency investigates train accidents, inspects public-railroad crossings, approves rail-safety improvement projects and manages Operation Lifesaver, a rail-safety education program in Washington and nationwide.
